New Bill Kelso - Custom Aeronaut In Russet Liberty Horsehide

[A-1]

Hi!
This is the first thread I’m starting, for the first leather jacket I’ve ever ordered.
After lots and lots of investigation and so much great help from loungers (thank you so much!), I’ve come to love the Aeronaut A-1 jacket of Bill Kelso a lot.

I ordered the A-1 version with buttons at first but changed my opinion to a much cleaner front with simple hand warmer pockets and a breast pocket with zip closure, after seeing this wingman model of Bill Kelso:


Here is a photo of my jacket that Bill Kelso put up at their Facebook here (follow the link to see more photos):
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.940723282624630.1073742118.540638042633158&type=3



Further customization are two inside pockets with stud closure and the Cameron Hunting Tartan lining:


As I love the look of the throat latch, I couldn’t go without it. Probably I won’t use it that often but as I said I like the looks:


The leather is their Liberty Horsehide in russet. On the photos it looks more like a lighter coloured seal. However, Andy told me it’s the same as the other ones on their Facebook. The photos were just taken in the afternoon. Actually, I love how it looks on the photos:


I went with my custom sizing. Hope it will fit. I’m going to post some fit pics here, when it has arrived. Should be here next week the latest. I’ll also tell you about the hide when I’ve had the opportunity to put it on, smell and touch it.
Here are some more detail shots:







Last but not least, whatever the fit maybe on this jacket, I gotta say thank you to Andy for his incredible patience with me!!! I’ve written him at least 100 mails (must be more) and he always answered very kindly.

Stay tuned for the fit pics.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Looks great. Really like the changes you made (especially the handwarmer pockets). Very nice lining too..!!
Congrats
HD

 

[SpeedRcrX]

Beautiful jacket !

Enjoy it, I know I enjoy my californian very much !

I can't wait to see fit pics.

 

[pawineguy]

Nice looking jacket, hope the fit is perfect.

 

[zhz]

Saw this on their facebook page today. Looks really nice, looking forward to see some fit pics

 

[Mark]

Looks great, Andy is very accommodating with customisations. I recently took ownership of a russet Liberty horse hide jacket from BK, you are gonna love the hide it really is something special

 

[Edward]

nice variation on the design. Deserves a name of its own, really - like the original, of course.

 

[bretron]

Congrats, bro!! Amazing mods on it!!

 

[Fanch]

Looks great. I particularly like the zippered version and the way the zipper is anchored at the bottom with the two studs. Be great to see fit pics.

 

[A-1]

Looks great, Andy is very accommodating with customisations. I recently took ownership of a russet Liberty horse hide jacket from BK, you are gonna love the hide it really is something special

Mark, have you posted pics here? I’d love to see the jacket. Have searched but couldn’t find it.

 

[Mark]

Hi A-1, sadly not, I tried very hard but failed each time, FL said pics too large and I do not know how to resize them. I am a computer dunce i'm afraid. They are however on Face book minus me in the jacket.
By the way do you own an A1? I am very much in love (again!) with BK's version.

 

[A-1]

By the way do you own an A1? I am very much in love (again!) with BK's version.

Hey Mark,
I'll try to find your Facebook then.
And sadly I don't have an A-1 (yet). It's just I registered here to get some help and advice for my first leather jacket. And I started off with the idea of getting a customized A-1 from Aero as I've always loved buttoned jackets. Actually this aeronaut will be my first zipped jacket. I've got some Filson s and they're all buttoned.
The customization I had in mind was having the G-1 pockets with handwarmer pockets underneath them. I know most people don't like hw pockets on their leather jackets but I need them, haha.
Then I found Alexander Leathers, their prices and the Simmons Bilt. After posting here for some help, I found out about the Aeronaut A-1 which is a more affordable version of Himel's Heron which I've always loved the most. The rest is history.
However, in my opinion an A-1 is one of the best classic leather jacket designs out there. I always wondered why the A-2 is so much more popular. I mean they're both great designs but if had to choose, I'd pick the A-1 in dark seal or black with olive knits and drab. Simply beautiful.
By the way, I don't want to start a fight with the A-2 fraction! So I will stop right here...

 

[A-1]

By the way, thank you all for your kind words. I’m very eager to show you some fit pics. Just hope the jacket arrives this week. However, I won’t be able to post pics before next week I guess. But we’ll see.


To Mark:
When it comes to civilian A-1 jackets, this is my favorite right now:

Click to enlarge.

 

[Mark]

Hi A1
Have pm'd you in reply to your pm. I agree I too think the A1 is under-rated and as nice as the A2. I particularly like the pocket placement (some don't I know) and the buttons. Problem for me is I am not sure I can go another jacket, I have 5, maybe not so many for some but I find I just don't wear them enough to feel ok owning so many. However, 3 of them are Cirrus jackets, not quite on the same level as Aero, BK etc. so I may consider selling them to fund an A1 (but each time I consider this I cannot bring myself to do it, there family now!)
Look forward to seeing your fit pics soon.

 

[Sloan1874]

Oddly enough, my other half doesn't like A-1s. She feels it looks 'half-finished' and less stylish than an A-2. I suppose it's because A-2s specifically designed as part of a uniform. Personally, I've always thought they have a period cool all of their own.

 

[A-1]

Sloan, my fiancée also told me she doesn’t like the buttoned front on leather jackets neither. And as she has to see me in the jacket forever, we found our compromise in this Aeronaut with the zipped front. However, I also totally dig the cleaner front of the jacket.
It’s not as 1920’s as the original but I hope it’s gonna be a good everyday jacket.

Mark, even if I don’t have any leather jackets yet, I can fully understand you. I always feel bad buying new stuff because I think the “old” stuff won’t get worn enough. I have this problem with boots. In my mind I have the ideal of the one and only go-to jacket or pair of boots but that’s just not how it works mostly as there will always be a “better” one.

That’s just one of the contradictions we have here in this lounge. We are looking for commodities that will last a lifetime, but we are buying them in quantities that will last at least 10 lifetimes.

And yet it’s fun to look for and find new/old stuff.

 

[A-1]

Mark, this was the jacket it all started with:


You can find all the specs here:
http://www.original-flightjackets.c...e/Gordon-Ferguson-A-1-Flight-Jacket::676.html

I’ve ordered it and the fit was good. However, I missed the handwarmer pockets. They make alterations but they didn’t have the same exact leather anymore and I especially like that. It’s a really nice dark brown oil pull hh. So I needed to look somewhere else...

 

[Mark]

Mark, this was the jacket it all started with:
View attachment 25433 View attachment 25434 View attachment 25435

You can find all the specs here:
http://www.original-flightjackets.c...e/Gordon-Ferguson-A-1-Flight-Jacket::676.html

I’ve ordered it and the fit was good. However, I missed the handwarmer pockets. They make alterations but they didn’t have the same exact leather anymore and I especially like that. It’s a really nice dark brown oil pull hh. So I needed to look somewhere else...

That's lovely A1, colour looks very nice.

 

[Plumbline]

Well done sir .. looks SWEET

Wear it well ....

 

[A-1]

Thank you Plumbline!! And thanks for suggesting Bill Kelso. I hadn't heard of them when you mentioned them in the Simmons Bilt thread. And all the other advice!!!

Via mail I’ve just received a message that the jacket will be arriving tomorrow. I am so excited, there is not an eye to be closed tonight...